Nicola Sturgeon Covid Scotland update RECAP: Booster jags for vulnerable Scots after JCVI advice | FM confirms vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds | New guidance for masks in school
Live updates as the First Minister addresses MSPs on the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 pandemic response.
Nicola Sturgeon Covid Scotland update LIVE: Tuesday, September 14
Key Events
- FM to address MSPs in Holyrood
- Scotland records 21 covid-linked deaths and 3,375 new cases
- Children aged between 12 and 15 to be offered vaccine
- Secondary pupils will have to wear face coverings indoors until October hols
- Booster jabs for all over 50s in Scotland
Booster Covid-19 vaccines and jabs for all children aged 12-15 in Scotland are to begin being offered from Monday, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The change follows a recommendation from the UK chief medical officers and advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
The First Minister said Scots over the age of 50, working in frontline health care or with specific health conditions will be offered a booster vaccination.
Health workers will be able to book their boosters from September 20, along with care home residents and those in receipt of regular flu jabs, while those over 70 or at high risk will be contacted by their GP soon, the First Minister said.
Other groups, including all adults over 50, those with underlying conditions, adult carers, unpaid and young carers or those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed, will be able to book a jag online from October.
Children aged between 12 and 15 will also be offered a single dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine in Scotland from next week.
The First Minister said the Scottish Government was accepting the recommendation of the UK’s chief medical officers and that drop-in clinics, from Monday, will be open to young people of that age group.
“I can confirm to Parliament today that the Scottish Government welcomes and accepts this recommendation,” she said.
“We believe that vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds is important and we will therefore move to implement the advice as quickly as possible.
“It is, of course, important to stress the importance of informed consent.
“I know that many young people and their parents will have questions.
“Material will be made available online later this week.”
Appointments will be offered from September 27 in the community and vaccinations will later be done in schools for those who have still not been jagged but decide they want it.
Covid Scotland: Booster vaccines for all over 50s, health workers and most vulnerable
Those most vulnerable to Covid-19 will be offered a booster vaccine dose from next week, following new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Covid Scotland: Vaccines to be offered to 12-15 year olds
Covid vaccines are to be offered to all 12 to 15 year olds in Scotland, the First Minister has announced.
Scots over the age of 50, working in frontline health care or with specific health conditions will be offered a booster vaccination, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The First Minister told MSPs on Tuesday: “Booster vaccines will be offered to all adults over 50, to frontline health and care workers, and to younger adults with certain health conditions, to younger adults with health conditions that put them at higher risk, and adult household contacts of people with suppressed immune systems.
“The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also advised that there should be an interval of at least six months between a second dose and a booster dose.”
Health workers will be able to book their boosters from September 20, along with care home residents and those in receipt of regular flu jabs, while those over 70 or at high risk will be contacted by their GP soon, the First Minister said.
Other groups – including all adults over 50, those with underlying conditions, adult carers, unpaid and young carers or those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed – will be able to book a jag online from October.
Children aged 12 to 15 will be offered appointments from September 27 to receive a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Accepting the recommendations of the four chief medical officers of the UK, the First Minister said the rollout would start the week after young people are able to attend drop-in clinics.
Subsequently, Ms Sturgeon said, vaccinations will be done in schools for those who have not yet been jagged but decide they want it.
Children aged between 12 and 15 will be offered the vaccine in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Speaking to MSPs, the First Minister said the Scottish Government was accepting the recommendation of the UK’s chief medical officers and drop-in clinics, from Monday, will be open to young people of that age group.
“I can confirm to Parliament today that the Scottish Government welcomes and accepts this recommendation. We believe that vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds is important and we will therefore move to implement the advice as quickly as possible,” she said.
“It is, of course, important to stress the importance of informed consent.
“I know that many young people and their parents will have questions.
“Material will be made available online later this week.”
Secondary pupils in Scotland will have to wear face coverings indoors until the October holidays, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The First Minister told MSPs: “Given the high levels of infection still being experienced, the advisory sub-group has advised that this requirement should remain in place until the October holidays, and be reviewed again then.
“I know how unpopular this is with many pupils and I understand why.
“But, for now, it remains a prudent and necessary precaution.”
Large in-person lectures will not be held at colleges and universities in Scotland when they return for the new term, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The First Minister told MSPs on Tuesday that, due to fears of a rise in Covid-19 cases, a mixed learning model will be put in place while physical distancing will continue to be in place.
“As a precaution at this stage, colleges and universities won’t be holding large in-person lectures for now,” the First Minister said.
“Instead, there will be a mix of online and in-person learning – with institutions themselves deciding the level of in-person teaching that they will offer during this term.
“In addition, physical distancing will remain in place on campuses and face coverings will be required in indoor public spaces.”
Nicola Sturgeon: “This most recent data underpinned Cabinet’s decision earlier today not to reintroduce any restrictions.
“I am grateful to everyone – organisations, businesses and individuals – who has taken extra care in recent weeks to try to stop the spike.
“It seems that these efforts are making a difference.
“That said, our position remains challenging.
“Even though new cases have fallen, they remain 5 times higher than at the start of August.
Nicola Sturgeon: “Although the level of infection in Scotland remains too high, there are continuing signs that the recent spike in cases is slowing down.
“Indeed, we are now seeing early signs - not just that the rate of increase is slowing - but that cases are now actually starting to fall slightly.
“This can be seen in the last three weeks’ data.”
Nicola Sturgeon Covid Scotland update LIVE: First Minister says recent spike in cases "now slowing down"
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says the decision to terminate Valneva vaccine contract was unilateral from the UK government.
Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that a Covid booster vaccination programme will commence in Northern Ireland this month.
Mr Swann’s announcement follows advice from the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommending booster jabs.
Boris Johnson mentioned the passing of his mother and the support he had received during the meeting of his Cabinet on Tuesday.
Charlotte Johnson Wahl died at the age of 79 on Monday at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, according to a death notice in The Times.
Downing Street, in a readout of the Cabinet meeting, said: “The Prime Minister opened Cabinet by thanking colleagues for their messages of condolence following the death of his mother.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid also paid tribute to the artist while updating MPs on the Government’s plans for dealing with coronavirus this winter.
Scotland has recorded 21 coronavirus-linked deaths and 3,375 new cases in the past 24 hours, latest figures show.
The data published by the Scottish Government indicates the death toll under the daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 8,263.
The test positivity rate was 11.4%, up from 11.3% the previous day.
There were 1,064 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, up 16 on the previous day, with 89 in intensive care, down one.
A total of 4,144,904 people have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination and 3,788,551 have received their second dose.
When is Nicola Sturgeon's update today?
The latest Covid-19 briefing is expected to take place after 2pm, following several parliamentary questions and before debating resumes on the programme for government announced yesterday by the First Minister.
Booster jags recommended for all over 50s
Those most vulnerable to Covid-19 are set to be offered a booster vaccine dose this Autumn following new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
All those in the first nine vaccine priority groups will be eligible, including over 50s, frontline health and social care workers, and all those over 16 with an underlying health condition.
The Scottish Government has not yet responded to the new advice, but previously said JCVI guidance on a booster programme would be followed.
Read the full story:
Covid Scotland: Booster jags recommended for all over 50s and most vulnerable
Those most vulnerable to Covid-19 are set to be offered a booster vaccine dose this Autumn following new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).